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Author Topic: Generous Thomas's gift  (Read 69 times)

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Generous Thomas's gift
« on: April 04, 2026, 11:27:57 am »
Bonjour,

Thomas is a New Zealand YouTuber passionate about small engines, which he uses in many tutorials.

We talked about Hit & Miss engines, and he generously gifted me this Stirling engine, a technology I wasn't familiar with at the time.

https://youtube.com/shorts/J4-Af9pOpWo

If you recognize this engine, please let me know.

Thomas's channel is here: https://www.youtube.com/@ThomasPCGuruENGINES
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Raphaël, Membre du Modèle Yacht Club de Paris : http://mycparis.fr/
Membre de l'Offshore Club de Paris: http://site-ocparis.wifeo.com/
Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/rhavrane

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Re: Generous Thomas's gift
« Reply #1 on: April 04, 2026, 11:59:40 am »
The engine you have been gifted is a Solar #1 either originally by Solar Engines of Phoenix Arizona or more recently by PM Research of Wellsville New York. Almost always seen in green, red and bare metal, yours appears to either have been repainted or was perhaps originally an unpainted kit that received the treatment it now wears. They are likely the most common model of Stirling Cycle engines to be found, but actually offer a unique and rather amazing history that stems clear back to the 1950's on the Isle of Man in GB!

More info is available should you be interested.
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Re: Generous Thomas's gift
« Reply #2 on: April 04, 2026, 12:10:02 pm »
Raphael.....

  This is an official warning.  If you have not collected hot-air
engines in the past be prepared to open a new wing in your hobby
room.  You've been bitten.  They are so easy to run and you never
have to worry about running dry!  Also, large vintage ones are out
there for newbies like us to lust after, then break the piggy-bank
to buy!   

Happy hot-airing,
Wayne
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Re: Generous Thomas's gift
« Reply #3 on: April 04, 2026, 12:14:51 pm »
Bonjour,

Stoker, many thanks for this information, I just start discovering this type of engine.

Currently, the most impressive information I have found is that this kind of engine is used in modern submarines !

Also used in industry with pro's and con's I had not imagined it could be powerful enough to be profitable.

But there we are far from our models which seem to be able to run fast but with no torque...

Wayne, is there a cure for this disease  ;D ?
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Raphaël, Membre du Modèle Yacht Club de Paris : http://mycparis.fr/
Membre de l'Offshore Club de Paris: http://site-ocparis.wifeo.com/
Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/rhavrane
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